Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Jalen Chatfield skates with a special group of young players at Invisalign Arena.
Hockey Players of Color is an organization devoted to increasing minority interest in the game of hockey, and Chatfield was happy to lend a hand.
“It’s awesome giving back to the kids, you know just being out here and involved in the community is huge,” said Chatfield.
Especially given the chance to take the ice with young skaters who look like him. Hockey is still a sport lacking in minority participation. Growing up in Ypsilanti, Michigan, Chatfield never had the opportunity that he’s giving these kids on this day.
“Really nobody I could look up to where I was at to come out here and skate with me so I think being able to see a familiar face and being able to skate with the kids is probably huge for them,” said Chatfield.
Some 50 young skaters were thrilled to learn from Chatfield and a group of coaches eager to teach the game. Hockey Players of Color has been around for four years, traveling from town to town to raise awareness of the game.
The children are learning that hockey is open to players of all color and race.
“When I was playing there was only P.K. Subban, Kyle Okposo, those were really the only ones in my age group that were there for me,” said HPOC founder Jazmine Miley. “Now you have Jalen Chatfield and so many other gentlemen and even women.”
Many of these kids have grown to love the game of hockey despite their backgrounds.
“My mom came from Mexico, she immigrated here when she was one month old so we had no connection to hockey at all,” said 15-year-old Sergio Becom. “HPOC has really helped get me into hockey more and start loving it more.”
And seeing an NHL player on the ice with them doesn’t hurt.
“As long as the kids can take away having fun and working hard and being a great person and teammate is more than enough,” said Chatfield.
